Mariners to fly rainbow flag in support of same-sex marriage

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SEATTLE - The Mariners will become the first Major League team to fly the rainbow gay pride flag at a game this weekend, in a show of support for same-sex marriage.

According to a spokesperson for the team, Safeco Field will fly the flag during the game against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, which is also the same day as the city's Pride parade.

Seattle Out and Proud reports that the team has pledged to publicly display the flag during Sunday's game because the owners "thought this was an appropriate gesture on a day that is very meaningful to the LGBT community," says Rebecca Hale, spokesperson for the group.

"We're a part of this community," Hale said. "Our fans are a reflection of our community."

Flying the rainbow Pride flag in Seattle's public and private spaces has been a point of contention in years past. City Hall made the decision to fly the flag for the first time this year, raising it on June 1, while the Space Needle has drawn some criticism for its decision not to raise the flag during Pride weekend.

Seattle Out & Proud spokesperson Adam McRoberts says that the organization is "thrilled to have so much community support in Seattle," and that they "greatly appreciate the leadership from the Mariners in promoting equality and acceptance in professional sports."

The Mariners' decision was announced just one day before the Supreme Court struck down a provision of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples and cleared the way for the resumption of same-sex marriage in California.

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